Throughout high school, students are constantly told by the adults and media around them the importance of getting into a top university. While in the past this level of attention was reserved for exceptional students who strive for the Ivy League, now all American students are determined to succeed academically.
This may sound great in theory, but as the cost of colleges, especially top schools, get unimaginably more expensive, it’s important for students to think of other routes that can help them be just as successful without the debt.
As of February 2024, most prestigious colleges cost a minimum of $200,000 for a four-year degree, with UChicago’s price tag being $336,504, Northwestern’s at $335,352, and UPenn with $333,192. Society has grown accustomed to these abnormally high numbers, believing that the immense debt is worth it for the high paying jobs they guarantee students after.
However, this does not seem to be the case anymore. With the job market on a current decline, top schools no longer guarantee direct employment from college, let alone high paying jobs that can easily pay off their immense debt.
Indiana University student Anishka Reddy is amongst these college students who are taking debt more into consideration.
“I’ve learned from the adults in my life how mentally draining it can be after college to be drowning in debt. No one wants that weight on them and while it’s hard to think about the future when excited to go to a dream school, we’ll definitely be grateful later on,” she said.
These students are looking more and more into their distant future, and are starting to realize the immense importance of taking the cheapest route to still gain the education needed for their careers.
While there’s a major stigma surrounding not attending a four-year college, it’s important to normalize and understand that college isn’t the only way to success. Some professions require college in order to gain the skills necessary for their career, but there are numerous jobs that don’t require a standard four year university.
Students with these career paths are more common than many realize, and sophomore Michelle Miranda is a perfect example.
“I want to join the army and do the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Description) program in community college; there’s no reason to spend thousands of dollars in a state school when my future plans don’t even require it,” Miranda explained.
From electricians to dental hygienists to real estates agents to web developers, there are numerous careers which don’t need a four year degree, and while many of these majors are available in 4-year colleges, the same learning can often be done in two years, through trade schools, or through a few online courses.
“I think it’s completely false that you need to go to a four year university, or attend university at all to be successful. If I can achieve the same education I need in 2 years, why spend two extra years of time and money?” Miranda questioned. “Breaking the stigma of college being an absolute necessity for all career paths is the only way to move forward.”
